Upton: Two BVT efforts aim to help kids afford prom

Monday

Mar 10, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By Mike GleasonDaily News Staff

UPTON - Blackstone Valley Regional Technical Vocational High School is a host to two concurrent efforts to ensure that students struggling with the costs of the prom can enjoy the event without going broke.The school's Friends of Rachel Club is holding a prom dress donation drive until the school's prom on May 10, while the student council is holding a prom dress sale and exchange on March 11.Matthew Urquhart, an assistant principal at BVT, said the efforts are motivated by a desire to include everyone in prom celebrations."They're for kids finding it difficult to find a funding source," he said. "Prom time is very expensive, and some students don't have the resources to buy a dress or rent a tux.""One (effort) can piggyback on the other," he said.According to Urquhart, the efforts are student-driven."It's from the kids, for the kids," he said. "The best part about this is that students, of their own accord, made sure that other students are able to join the prom experience."Urquhart said, at the upcoming exchange, used dresses will be sold at low cost, with the proceeds going to help ensure the Class of 2015 can take part in the prom.The Friends of Rachel drive asks local residents to donate new or slightly used prom dresses and accessories. The items will then be given to students unable to bear the costs of participating in the prom.Donations, according to a school release, may be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the main entrance of Blackstone Valley Tech.More information about that drive may be found by contacting Friends of Rachel club advisor Dawn Dubois at (508) 529-7758.Mike Gleason can be reached at 508-634-7546 or mgleason@wickedlocal.com. For news throughout the day, follow him on Twitter @MGleason_MDN.